Get Set for the Seven Species

Battle stations, it's time to get ready for the seder. Get the Hagaddah, matzah -- wait; we don't need matzah for a Tu B'Shevat seder.

This fun, educational and not-five-hour-long seder involves eating and enjoying the fruits native to the Land of Israel. During the seder, it's typical to serve four different kinds (glasses) of wine, and the seven species of fruits and nuts mentioned in the Bible (figs, dates, pomegranates, olives, grapes/raisins, wheat and barley).

The four cups of wine at this seder should represent changes in the seasons -- dark red, light red, pink and white. The fruits should include those with coverings on the outside, like oranges; those with pits, like peaches and olives; and those that can be eaten both inside and outside, like figs and raisins.

After the seder, you can serve just about anything you want, so I decided to come up with recipes that utilize lots of these native-to-Israel fruits, grains and nuts.